In one of the first major test-cases of whether employees of online news organizations are entitled to the same protections as mainstream media "journalists" in the eyes of the law, Gawker Media LLC is accusing the San Mateo police department of violating California's journalist shield law.

In connection with the Apple iPhone 4.0 probe, San Mateo police detective Matthew Broad got a search warrant, broke into the house of Gizmodo editor Jason Chen, and seized 6 computers, along with other hardware.

Gawker Media believes this action was a violation of California law.

Business Insider has obtained a letter written by Gawker COO Gaby Darbyshire to Detective Broad describing the law and requesting that the San Mateo police return the confiscated property.